Telluride delivers the wow factor ski holiday experience

Telluride is a reminder not all ski resorts are created equal. America is full of great ski resorts, and Colorado alone has plenty. But out of the hundreds of options a select few places have that extra wow factor that sets them apart from the rest. ‘Ask Doctor Pete’ Stiebel explains why.
There are also plenty of great deals to make the Telluride experience accessible like pay 8 day pass / ski 14 days, pay 3 nights stay 4 and more – see details of those at bottom & from Mogul Ski World.

Want wow factor plus? Then do as more and more of your fellow seasoned snow travellers are doing and head to Telluride. It’s in a way become the new kid on the block being discovered by those of us who have skied a lot of resorts already.
The fact it’s now part of the Epic Pass will incentivise a lot more of us to check it out soon – you get up to 7 day’s skiing here on that, with no blackout dates.

Why the wow? The location and the terrain really set Telluride apart. The old silver mining town is located in a box canyon, a dead end road surrounded by massive 14,000 ft mountain peaks on 3 sides.
It has been around for a while though; think Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’s first bank robbery.
The ski area has plenty that is not for the faint hearted: I’ve never seen so many gun skiers skiing so many long and steep runs. Even the home run back to town is black and double black! But don’t worry if you don’t ski like the Doc troops, 60% of the terrain is actually cruisy greens and blues, just usually with way better views.

There are also a few smaller, intimate, high end sit down affairs scattered around the mountain, such as Alpino Vino and Bon Vivant, catering to a more relaxed long lunch experience.
What really sets Telluride apart is the steep and deep terrain and the sensational scenery.
There is also the old silver mining town atmosphere with many quaint restaurants and bars, and a variety of smaller hotels and guest houses and some larger hotels.

All are of Victorian architecture and served by a busy Main Street with shops and restaurants. Of note is the refurbished grand old Victorian, the New Sheridan Hotel. There are also quite a few wild western pubs in town.
Telluride is in the San Juan mountain range in south west Colorado, a little off the beaten track, but becoming better air served in recent times as it has become more popular.
It really should be on everyone’s bucket list, and not just the expert skiers – so many American resorts do the basics well of runs, grooming, lifts, service and more, but none have a setting like this.
What’s new?
It keeps getting better, too – Telluride continued its ongoing multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment last winter with snowmaking upgrades and technology to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. In 2017-18 beginners got an expanded 15-acre terrain-based teaching facility, plus there’s an expanded grooming fleet to enhance the manicured terrain across the resort for all levels.

Getting to Telluride

Access to Telluride is easier than ever: from Australia fly non-stop to LA, San Francisco or Dallas, then to Montrose-Telluride Regional Airport(MTJ), a 90 minute shuttle ride away. From NZ you can also fly non stop to Houston and on to Montrose-MTJ.
Be aware of altitude effects when staying at Telluride. The town is at 8,750 ft / 2667 m and the Mountain Village is at 9,545 ft / 2910 m.
The top lift served elevation is 12,570 ft., and Telluride has a maximum elevation at 13,150 ft/4010 m.